The Beginning of Wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” - Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
What does this mean?
“The fear of the Lord…”
This isn’t about being afraid of God in a terrified sense. Rather, “fear” here means reverent awe, a deep respect and recognition of God’s holiness, power, and authority. It’s the kind of fear that draws you closer in humility, not pushes you away. Hebrew: “yir’ah” – fear, awe, reverence, respect
When we “fear the Lord,” we:
Acknowledge that He is God and we are not
Surrender our pride and self-sufficiency
Recognize His justice, mercy, and majesty
This posture of humility is where all true wisdom begins.
“…is the beginning of wisdom”
Wisdom (Hebrew: chokmah) is not just knowing stuff, it’s knowing how to live rightly, how to make godly decisions, and how to walk in the way that leads to life. You don’t become wise by age or education alone. Wisdom starts when you orient your life around God’s character, God's ways, and God's purposes.
“Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”
This second half expands the idea:
Knowing God personally — not just knowing about Him
“The Holy One” refers to God in His utter purity and separateness
Understanding flows from that relationship — you see the world more clearly when you walk closely with the One who made it
John 17:3 – “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
Related Scriptures
Psalm 111:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.”
Job 28:28 – “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault…”
Reflection
Ask yourself:
Do I live with a deep reverence for God?
Do I seek wisdom from Him before making decisions?
Am I prioritizing knowing about God, or truly knowing Him?
How can I align my life more with His ways today?
Prayer
Lord, I want to walk in Your true wisdom. Teach me to fear You in reverence, not in dread. Help me to know You more deeply and to understand Your heart. Lead me by Your Spirit to make decisions that honor You and bless others. Amen.